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11 Bathroom Cleaning Tips That Work

With just a little effort, your bathroom can be cleaner, fresher and brighter. We'll even show you how to get more oomph from your shower. Keep these tricks in mind the next time your bathroom needs a cleaning.

Be prepared.

Have your bathroom cleaning supplies handy. In addition to a bucket filled with cleaning sprays, wipes, rubber gloves and scrub brushes, bring along a mop and the vacuum, with its crevice tool.

Establish a routine.

Now's not the time to improvise. Come up with a plan for when to clean what. Not only will it prevent cleaning disasters, but once you're in a groove; it will help you get the job done faster.

Look for products that let you multitask.

They'll save you time and elbow grease. Take Scrubbing Bubbles® Mega Shower Foamer, for instance. Its wide spray covers surfaces more completely and its grime-busting formula works on contact to cut through soap scum and reduce mildew stains in your shower and tub. In the time it takes for you to put out fresh towels, Scrubbing Bubbles® Mega Shower Foamer has done all the hard work. Just rinse clean or wipe away the foam.

To reduce soap scum to begin with, use liquid shower gel instead of cake soap. Shower gels are less likely to leave a soapy residue that builds up.

Start at the top with vents, fans and window blinds.

The Pledge® Multi Surface Duster is a 360-degree all-around duster with an easy-to-grip handle. It's perfect for cleaning between slats in blinds and vents. Its fluffy fibers grab dust and trap it—just what you need for tight spaces and hard-to-reach corners.

Let in the light.

Turn off your lights, take down the fixtures and carefully clean them with Windex® Crystal Rain™, which leaves behind a refreshingly clean scent. Also, gently wipe off your light bulbs (do this only when they are completely cool). Grime from steamy showers and dust can dim a bulb's lighting efficiency, making you think you need to replace it before you really do. You'll be amazed by how much brighter your bathroom will appear.

Dry is easier to clean than wet.

Next, vacuum your bathroom floor. Use the crevice tool to get into corners and behind sinks and toilets. It's much easier to clean up hair and dirt when they are dry rather than after they get wet.

Protect your artwork as you clean.

Pledge® Multi Surface Wipes are terrific for cleaning framed artwork in your bathroom–simply wipe off the glass and frame. Use them in place of spray-on cleaners that can seep in between the glass and the artwork, ruining the picture. Pledge® Multi Surface Wipes can be used on wood, chrome, plastic and glass.

Go with the flow.

If your shower pressure seems a little lackluster, you may need to clean out the lime and mineral deposits that could be clogging your showerhead and reducing the water flow. Less water pressure means longer showers, which isn't good for the environment—or your wallet.

Try this: pour into a Ziploc® Brand Slider Storage Bag with the Smart Zip™ Seal enough white vinegar to cover the showerhead. The bag features a pleated bottom that expands to a flat base. Detach the showerhead and place it in the vinegar bath. Let it soak for at least an hour (even overnight if possible) while you do other tasks. Then use an old toothbrush to clean off any remaining mineral deposits from the showerhead and rinse it in warm water before reattaching. Note: if the finish on your showerhead is old or worn, it may be damaged by the vinegar. Be sure to check with your manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.

Keep your whirlpool bath a-whirling.

If you have a whirlpool tub, then once a month you’ll want to give it a little preventive maintenance. Fill the tub with warm water and a half cup of bleach. Shut off the air induction and let the jets run for 15–30 minutes. Drain the tub entirely. Refill with clear water and run the jets again for 15 minutes to rinse out the pumps. To keep your whirlpool pumps running smoothly, avoid using foaming or bubble-bath products. Note: check with your manufacturer to see if there are specific cleaning instructions for your whirlpool model.

To nourish and protect, moisturize.

Your wooden cabinets, that is. Harsh conditions in the bathroom can cause wood to dry out and crack. At least twice a year, condition your cabinets instantly with Pledge® Extra Moisturizing to protect the natural beauty of your wood surfaces.

Whistle while you work.

Those dwarfs had the right idea for making time pass quickly. If you enjoy singing in the shower, check out our favorite cleaning sing-along playlist. Or get absorbed in an audiobook, and your cleanup will be over before you know it.

Yowzza! Been waiting desperately for this kind of advice since the dog started going to the bathroom in the house - don't laugh, it's an excellent idea for the most disciplined dogs.

6/26/2013 ,

andy
c.

First remove everything from bathroom. Use shop vacuum on all surfaces including sinks, tubs, around toilets. I use HE laundry liquid to remove scum from the shower and bath...use it full strength. Got a $10 gallon garden sprayer... i put bleach, water, and some dishsoap...spray it, wipe it up. Worst bathroom disaster clean in no time.

6/25/2013 ,

John
B.

Don't use bleach on or in porcelain fixtures (sink,tub or toilet) it etches the porcelain and dirt and bacteria lodges in the etches and they get harder and harder to clean. Bowl cleaners, 409 or other multi surface cleaners soft. scrub

6/24/2013 ,

Sheila
M.

Tuck paper towels around the bottom edge of the shower stall, where it meets the floor. Pour bleach on the towels, let sit, then use other towels to wipe up. No more mold. To get up under the rim of the toilet, use a vegetable brush or sink brush instead of a toilet brush. Dry is easier than wet if you have a vacuum cleaner. Otherwise, just wet some paper towels and wipe - the hair/dust will just stick to the towel. Dirt stains on the textured tracks in a bathtub? Fill with about 6 inches of water, and add 1 cup of bleach. Let sit. Slow drains? Pour in about a cup of water, let sit overnight, rinse through with hot water. Do once a month. Keep an old toothbrush in the shower, and use it to remove mold from grout as soon as you see it.

6/16/2013 ,

Kirsten
W.

Maybe an effective cleaning method but an expensive one. Seriously? Vinegar, water, and baking soda can clean everything in the bathroom. I use bleach for the toilet bowl as well.